40.33018, -74.87179 and hike to the top meadow about 2-2.5 miles away. Your log in attempt was not successful. We did white ridge loop. #1 NW Loop Trail (Red) #2 Ted Stiles Trail #3 Kuser Trail The best & most popular mountain biking trails in Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain. Established in 1912, the 800-acre park commemorates one of our nation's most important early historical events. If you desire to travel to East Peak (3,812 feet), continue on following the white blazes for one mile. Mowed trails at the end of the Summit Trail and picnic area. Bald Pate Mountain Preserve located in South Bridgton has it all! 1478 1329. View from the picnic area towards the Delaware River. ///. TheCopper Hill Trail(orange blazes), is so named because of supposed (but undocumented) early mining activity by Native Americans. This post may contain affiliate links. The Delaware River can be seen on a clear day. Critically, around 12 miles of hiking trails were clearly marked throughout the park, and several trails beautifully upgraded with stone steps carved out of the scrambly bits. lane on the right leading to the Howell Living History Farm. Grafton Notch State Park is one of Maine's premier recreational destinations, lying just off of Maine Route 26 in Newry among the Mahoosuc Mountain Range. [email protected]. Along the Copper Hill Trail, despite having an uncanny knack of remaining hidden in plain sight a few feet off the trail, hikers and bikers suddenly notice a fireplace and chimney rising in the woods. Beck visited the small mine, and in his book included a photo of its entrance. 3.8 Continue on WHITE (Ridge) along the edge of a large parking lot towards a large power tower, passing the other end of ORANGE (Copper Hill). Utterly beautiful. This wildlife art gallery contains the area?s largest selection of hand carved decoys, representing carvers across the US, as well as an extensive collection of original paintings by some of the nation's most renowned artists. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7e820b27fee40564 Before early farmers could plow and seed the earth they first needed to clear this very rocky hillside to make usable fields. Details Date: February 28, 2021 Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Event Categories: Events, Pack Events Venue Baldplate Mountain 28 Fiddlers Creek Rd Titusville, NJ 08560 + Google Map Owl (night) Hike! Started on white trail, made our way to the visitors center and continued to the red trail. The origin of Bald Pate's name is one of the park's mysteries. There will be no hunting on Sunday. Old newspaper articles and ads give scant hints of their lives, both socially and in business. Mowed trails at the end of the Summit Trail and picnic area. After following the brook with more waterfalls and nice trail conditions, a bog with stepping stones is reached at 1.9 miles and the blue blazed trail gets rougher and steeper at 2.2 miles. [WHITE (Ridge) also goes right. Hiking Trails (3) 1. from mid-December to mid-February. 12 miles of hiking trails with up to a 400 foot elevation gain. I must have missed the view or it is overgrown. New parking lots were constructed (and expanded in recent years), and the Kusar Familys summer home preserved as a Nature and Reception Center (in the spring, youll often find wedding receptions catered there). It curves at first to avoid a poorly drained area, then runs north through scrubby woods for a few hundred yards, and then turns sharp right down to an aging wooden bridge across Fiddlers Creek. Could it be that bootleggers really did change this place to make illicit Prohibition products as claimed by Beck? [ORANGE (Copper Hill) also goes right.]. TheCreek Spur Trail(brown blazes) runs about .4 mile from Fiddlers Creek Road roughly north to join the Copper Hill Trail. as an active member. The 6.7 mile trail network offers an array of recreational opportunities and views. Since some birds spend the winter here, bird watching can be good here year round. Possibly the bare mountaintop suggested the more recent name of Bald Pate. See Mercer County deer management for closure dates. Its one of the most artfully routed and constructed trails in this part of NJ delivering the aesthetic of an English rock garden. Fare To Midlands Story & photos by Bob Koppenhaver Just a few miles south of Lambertville lies an area ripe for weekend adventure and exploration. Enter your username, and we will send you a new, randomly generated password to your email account. Good workout following the blue white and red. Continue for 3.0 miles, first straight, then through several twisting sections. The 6.7 mile hiking trail network offers a variety of easy to moderately difficult trails. During this season, hunting occurs four or five days per week, and on hunting days there is no public access except for hunters registered with Mercer County. Large portions of the park are closed to non-hunters Description The summit of Baldface Mountain has an open rocky ledge providing excellent views of Debar Pond and surrounding mountains. In 2007, the preserve's original name of Baldpate Preserve was changed to honor the life of Edmund "Ted" Stiles, one of New Jersey's most accomplished and tireless activists for protection of natural lands, who passed away that year. Until construction is completed at the park the access entrances Washington Crossing State Park celebrates events that affected the whole of Please be aware that facilities are closed during the off season. Horseback riders and cyclists should continue along the powerline further west, to a second right turn that leads down along the Pleasant Valley Riders Trail to Pleasant Valley Road. Note: Online routing may try to enter via an authorized-only road. The Pleasant Valley Trail (turquoise blazes) runs a total of about 1.0 mile from the Northwest Loop trail down to Pleasant Valley Road, ending across from Hunter Road. Horse trailers are not allowed here. to Midlands, reference is made to the top of the mountain having been cleared by one of the Kusers, perhaps for a landing strip. Turn RIGHT to continue on WHITE (Ridge). There are 5 access points listed on the map, which are described on the park page. by the Amateur Astronomical Association of Princeton, Friday night sessions The map shows restrooms at the visitor center, which is 1.3 miles up the blue trail or if you park at the main lot instead. New photos. Hiking to the West Peak is a 5.8 mile round trip and is a challenging hike. 6. Walk across the open area towards the pond and small building. Nice place, We took the white trail to the Visitor center then the blue trail to the farmhouse ruins and pond and back onto the white trail. 1.0 BLUE (Summit) ends. 1 S to 95 S to Rt 29 N. Turn RIGHT at a light onto Washington Crossing Pennington Rd. A couple of miles down Route 29, you will soon pass by the county workhouse, Bald Pate Mountain, the village of Titusville, and finally arrive at Washington Crossing State Park. The Copper Hill Trail heads south. Possibly, as time goes by, more answers will surface but for now, as you use the trails of Bald Pate, remember that this wasn't always "just woods.". Got stung in one area since I was unknowingly likely too close to a nest. From the Interpretive Center, nature trails lead through fields and woods and pass by an observation blind from which observers might catch glimpses of birds, deer, and other wildlife. Cyclists should take the main park drive instead, which is paved, and will get you to the top much more easily anyway (though its still a beast of a hill). Elevation Info: Elevation range: 480 - 500 ft (20-foot closed contour) NAVD88 Elevation: 479 ft / 146 m (Range 479 - 499 ft) Peak Type: Hill: Latitude/Longitude (WGS84) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). The fringes of the forest and orchard areas offer wild raspberries in early summer, and those who know where to look and what to pick safely can enrich their dinners with a variety of wild mushrooms. Loon Echo Land Trust is a 501(c)(3)non-profit. I laid a bunch of branches across the start of that trail so hopefully no one wastes their time like I did. The eastern portion of the park offers two rugged terrain, back-country hiking experiences. To get there, head south from Lambertville on Route 29, enjoying glimpses of the Delaware & Raritan Canal feeder and the Delaware River along the way. Please place the admission fee in the self-service collection canister. TheNorthwest Loop Trail(red blazes) begins near the western-most end of the Ridge Trail, descends steeply to the north for .4 mile, runs east, gradually climbing and sometimes muddy in certain stretches, for .6 mile to an intersection where the Pleasant Valley Trail (turquoise) heads north, and there climbs very steeply to the right for .2 mile to rejoin the Ridge Trail (total 1.2 miles). We went from the white ridge to red NW back to white ridge and around the Copper Hill. Return to this spot to continue, or from the buildings take the path uphill to the viewing scope and picnic tables and follow from 1.1 below. 0.8 Come to a T with a gravel path and jog slightly left to continue on BLUE (Summit). The action you just performed triggered the security solution. We ended up never finding the view others mention and turned around because of the ticks. 3. Check our Trail Blog links at the bottom of the page for photos of the area over the years. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these at no cost to you. Nature programs are already being conducted by the County Naturalist. I had read that a visitor center with restrooms was being built and hadnt expected them to be open, but the trail map in the lot noted them. 207 summits. Check 0.0 Start following BLUE(Summit) just beyond the trail kiosk. Unlike the original, which occurred in frigid weather through life-threatening ice floes during the dark of night, the daylight reenactments are dependent on weather and water conditions, so check first if you plan to attend. Shortly, pass the remains of a houses stone chimney off to the left. From Table Rock we took the AT to West Bald Pate and East Bald Pate. Fiddlers Creek Bridge Roadside Parking:On Fiddlers Creek Road, .5 mile from Church Road, and 1.1 miles from Route 29, it is possible to pull off on the grassy shoulder on the north side of Fiddlers Creek Road, where the Creek Spur trail begins. At about .4 mile it passes the Kuser Trail Connector (green) on the left. After this trail you leave the park boundary line and ascend steeply up the North slope to the summit of West Peak (3,680 feet). Rock Hopper 4.0. but we SHOULD have sat behind the small building near the well, on its step which overlooks the pond. A nice day nevertheless. Balsam Lake Mountain. The park entrance will be on the LEFT. Different routes are in 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Philadelphia and Best Day Hikes Near Philadelphia. A few hundred yards further, it turns right onto the trace of an old logging road, and in about 50 yards turns sharp left into the woods. all three Rating Updated:3/2023 Park link updates. All four partners in the acquisition (Mercer County, the State of NJ, Hopewell Twp. Muddy , views were minimum on the trail I chose. Overall an easy walk with the family. The trail leaves the brook, skirts a hillside, bends left and then right, passing the Kuser Connector which runs over to the Copper Hill Trail. Other scheduled events are wagon tours, hayrides, ice cream parties, workhorse rides, and even an old-time baseball game. Off season, visitors may continue to enjoy the park during these same hours. and Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space) recently completed a draft master plan, which is subject to approval by the County Park Commission. In 1986 the family sold the property to Trap Rock Industries, and in 1998 Bald Pate Mountain was acquired from TPI by Mercer County. Beck and his fellow explorers tramped through the woods in the 1930s, and came upon old millstones, several still standing chimneys, evidence of a spring house, and the foundations of houses still visible today. 1.1 More picnic tables and a viewing scope in a mowed grassy area, overlooking the Kuser Mansion and orchard. Across the stream, the route bends to the right, heading upstream along the creek bank, then curving north to follow the small Honey Hollow Brook, which flows into the larger Fiddlers Creek. There are wonderful views from the open meadow of the Delaware River to the south, and of the Philadelphia skyline when the air is clear. got a 1.5 miles in and High Winds, Black Sky. This will affect the mileage in the description depending on how much you wander around. The springhouse is obvious as is the large ruined cellar hole beside it, but where was the barn? This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Honey Hollow Entrance from Church Road:There is a parking area at the Brick Road entrance to Washington Crossing State Park, off Church Road just opposite Fiddlers Creek Road, with space for 8-10 cars along the edges of Brick Road. Scattered throughout, begging to be discovered, are the remains of more than a dozen structures, mainly ruins of houses, barns, and springhouses and the faint old lanes that once connected them. For the Church Road entrance, continue another 1.4 miles up Fiddlers Creek Road to the intersection with Church Road; continue straight across Church Road into the Brick Road entrance to Washington Crossing State Park, where there is ample parking room along the margins of the gravel road. Somewhere here on the mountain the mine does, or did, exist. Strawberry Hill Summit trail - Blue square Loop Turn LEFT to continue on BLUE (Summit) to the top of the mountain. 3.6 Continue on WHITE (Ridge). Another mystery is reflected in the name of one of the park's trails, the Copper Hill Trail. Bald Pate Mountain Preserve located in South Bridgton has it all! Within the park, birdwatchers may find a large number of neotropical migratory songbirds. Paradise Lost, and Found at Blue Mountain Lakes, Reservoir Relaxation: Split Rock,Taylortown and Boonton, Union Forge and the Taylor Steelworkers Greenway in High Bridge. Baldpate Mountain(5.8-7.6 miles round trip, advanced): Located beyond the Table Rock Trail in the Mahoosuc Public Lands, Baldpate Mountain includes two summit hikes with fantastic views. The map shows the Pleasant Valley trail is straight and leads to another parking area. None of the trails are paved. Your IP: Hunting Season: Entirely CLOSED to hikers during firearm season days in December. Interesting note: There is a clearing close to the visitor's center (end of white trail) with a great southward view of the Delaware River, Trenton, and the giant . The Bad: 4.8 At an intersection with BLUE (Creek Spur), turn RIGHT to continue on ORANGE (Copper Hill). ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Usually lots of people. Washington's troops gained a much needed morale boost that would carry the nation to eventual victory over the British army. [Pass ORANGE (Copper Hill) on the right might not even notice it, but there was a large tree on the ground across from the trail]. Great review! While most of the trail will recover its former beauty quickly, some sections will be scarred for decades. (about 2 1/2 miles south of Lambertville) and turn onto it, following it about Easy to moderate trail surface; minor elevation change. However, as Ive gotten older and am less sure of my balance, Ive taken to carrying a walking stick which I use almost exclusively in this section. Both trails had plain white markers so we got a bit turned around. Overlook Mountain. Looking toward the Kuser Estate and orchard. The park visitor center is the central point for visitors to orient themselves to what lies both above and below the surface at Mammoth Cave. The entrance to the parking lot is a few hundred feet east of the driveway that leads up to the Baldpate visitor center. Or way off the established trails, who built that old springhouse that has "DHP Aug 1845" inscribed in its mortar? Did White, red, switchback yellow, blue and back to white. The Kuser Trail, named for the former owners of this land, (green blazes) is the main route, about .75 mile, from Church Road, across Fiddlers Creek,and uphill to the power line and then to the parking area off Pleasant Valley Road. could finish Rock Hopper Trail. Within this District are also at least two other farmsteads, two old public school sites, the Phillips gristmill, a blacksmith shop site & house, the old Phillips Burying Ground and more. After the earliest pioneers, he reported, came a settlement of African Americans, sometimes as many as 50 families, some from the south and some of more local origin, who farmed as long as they could. ///. Dry Run Creek 4.0 4.1 Operated by the Washington Crossing Association of New Jersey from June through August, events take place on an open outdoor stage. From Howell Living History Farm:There is also access to the Baldpate trail network off Pleasant Valley Road, about 100 yards east of Valley Road, just opposite Hunter Road (closed to vehicle traffic). The Bad: Firearm hunting will occur at Baldpate Mountain and the area north of Mercer Lake at Mercer County Park beginning Monday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 10, and every Wednesday through Saturday thereafter through Feb. 11. Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space is also helpful. Its mature woodlands, wetlands, and open meadows harbor a rich variety of native trees and shrubs and a diverse bird population. Cultural enthusiasts will want to attend summertime concerts and performances at the park's Open Air Theatre. This lot is also for Fiddlers Creek Preserve. Performance & security by Cloudflare. (Do not disturb these remains.). Take Exit 1 onto Route 29 north. Perfume Bottles, Santas, Witches Balls, Oil Lamps, Paperweights, Chimes, Art Glass, Wishing Stars. Components of local, national, and natural history are well represented, as well as brilliant prospects for craft seekers, hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and picnickers. for schedules during that period. Walking/Hiking, Horseback riding, Dogs permitted on leash. Coming from US Route 2, the trailhead and parking area will be on the left. Performance & security by Cloudflare. The trails are . The trail leaves the parking area at the tower and follows the power line cut for a bit. 25 minutes from downtown Princeton, 15 minutes from Trenton. These awesome businesses support our goal of connecting people to outdoor adventures in Maine! Some trails include steep stone steps, which require a moderate degree of balance and caution. are offered. Older change log at page bottom. Our 13 year old daughter completed the AT side with care while crossing brooks, etc. Updated: 7/2020 Improved route by taking Copper Hill uphill instead of downhill (its steep and rocky, more enjoyable as an uphill). Removing rocks was an ongoing process, as frost heaving brought a new crop to the surface each winter. There is formal parking at three of these locations, and limited parking in two other places: 1. A similar route is now in Best Day Hikes in New Jersey. Artisanal cheeses, wood fired breads, 100% grass-fed beef, whey fed pork, and suckled veal, 100% grass-fed ice cream, pasta made with Emmer wheat and our own free-range eggs, and pesto made with our own basil! For more information, call (609) 737-1826. [WHITE (Ridge) also goes right]. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. . I can see how it can please runners, but they should probably stick to the loop trail. The storm ripped-up dozens of acres of trees. Click to reveal Oh well, next time. An extensive network of trails, some old logging roads and some specially built trails, lace the southern and northern flanks of the ridge, and a 2-mile trail runs along its spine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Signs of past habitation on Baldpate Mountain are obvious, but clear information about who lived there and when is hard to come by. The main Kuser Trail continues north to the power line, and turns west to follow the power line to the parking area entered from Pleasant Valley Road. Your IP: It is otherwise awesome.) 2. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Also, near the river, there is a hiking & biking trail along the Delaware & Raritan Canal feeder where anglers will be able to fish for sunfish, bass, and pickerel. Your email address will not be published. Walking the Ridge Trail, however, involves only moderate ups and downs. 249 summits. Two large parking areas have been constructed in the park, one at the base of the mountain on Fiddlers Creek Road alongside Kuser's former lane to the top, where a visitor center complex incorporates the original structures at Strawberry Hill. Note: We love Baldpate Mountain so much, we've written four reviews about different aspects of the park: 1) Overview, 2) Switchback Trail, 3) Eastern Trails, 4)Pine Grove Hike. Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country 211 summits. On September 16, after extensive clearing work, much of the trail system reopened. For a few years in the early 1900s the family established a game farm on the mountain, raising pheasants with the assistance of an experienced gamekeeper and other local workers. As the Summit Trail has become more popular, I often avoid it on weekends in favor of the hiking trails towards the eastern end of the park. 2023 Central NJ Hiking - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. This mountain bike primary trail. Now featuring Pandora Jewelry. It descends gently, and then quite steeply, bending west and leveling off briefly. This post may contain affiliate links. In Henry C. Beck's 1939 book Fare The recently-renovated main house will be a visitors center. Nature and outdoors enthusiasts will want to visit the park's 140-acre Natural Area and its associated Interpretive Center, which offers outdoor, and nature programs throughout the year. Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain. Route: Summit Trail (BLUE) to NW Loop (RED) to Ridge Trail (WHITE) to Copper Hill Trail (Orange) to Honey Hollow Trail (RED) to ORANGE (Cedar Grove Trail) to Kuser Trail (BLUE) to Honey Hollow Trail (RED) to Copper Hill (ORANGE) to Ridge Trail (WHITE) to Summit Trail (Blue). On Christmas night in 1776, after pushing off their Durham boats from the Pennsylvania shoreline and crossing the ice-laden Delaware River in the dark, General George Washington and 2400 Continental Army troops landed on the river's New Jersey bank. While it remains beautiful, sections of the Summit Trail suffered severe damage from a Tornado that touched down on August 29, 2021. To report a trail or maintenance issue of a trail listed on this website, please email The preserve consists of 486 acres of forest, meadows, granite-topped scenic vistas and boasts a pristine ancient pitch pine forest atop its summit. The animal population on Baldpate includes the expected small residents such as chipmunks, voles, bats, groundhogs, and squirrels, foxes and coyotes, and representatives of the areas deer population. Some old logging roads and some specially built trails lace the southern and northern flanks of the ridge, and a 2-mile trail runs along its spine. Nature programs are already being conducted by the County Naturalist. About Map Events Photos Nearby Sep 2021 - Baldpate is currently closed after major damage caused by Hurricane Ida. You truly captured the essence of Baldpates uniqueness in our area. great mountain for beginners with a great view if you make it to the lodge! These versions show fewer trails in Honey Hollow area than older maps (map 3,4) so the description below may be affected. The birdlife of Baldpate attracts amateur birdwatchers and scientists. 265 summits. At trail entrances, intersections, and places where there are no trees and the trail might be unclear, there are brown posts with trail markers in the same colors. At .6 mile, the blue-blazed Creek Spur leaves straight downhill to the south towards Fiddlers Creek Road. The pond and brooks harbor invertebrates, amphibians, and small fish. Oops! Baldpate Mountain offers some of the most extensive and rugged walking in Mercer County. Baldplate Ridge and Pleasant Valley Trail. Denville Detour: Jonathan's Woods and More! Panther Mountain. 4.0 Turn RIGHT over a small footbridge and now follow Kuser (GREEN) as it heads gradually downhill. Getting overgrown, but good to stretch the legs so close to home. This is a busy trail system, especially on weekends between 9AM-4PM. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 8.6 miles but easier to make short loops. At the stop sign on Bear Tavern Road (Route 579), turn right. Just a few miles south of Lambertville lies an area ripe for weekend adventure and exploration. Although Bald Pate Preserve's present day trails pass through woods that seem to have always been there, that was not always the case, especially in the eastern portion of the park, known for many years as Honey Hollow. Trails were dry, and Bug free. And if we find a new print format for the Skylands Visitor magazine, youre on the mailing list!